White Gold

A bright silvery white colour, white gold is created by alloying pure gold with other white metals including silver and rhodium. Less expensive than platinum, white gold is ideal for those who want the look of platinum with the heritage and tradition associated with gold.

History

The history or white gold dates back to 1710, when German alchemists proposed the theory of how it might be created. However, It wasn’t until the 19th Century when manufacturers alloyed gold with palladium to create the white gold we know today. After becoming commercially available in 1912, white gold quickly grew in popularity as a more affordable alternative to platinum and it remains a popular choice for all kinds of jewellery today.

Properties

Gold is one of the most malleable of all the metals, making it very easy to work. It can be beaten and stretched, even when cold. Owing to its malleability, white gold is a favourite with jewellers. White gold doesn't rust or corrode, however, its rhodium plating does require yearly upkeep to maintain its lustre and shine.

Purity

Gold purity is graded in Karats (K). A fractional measure, Karatage is expressed in 24ths making 24 Karat Gold 100% pure. White gold is created by alloying pure gold with white metals such as palladium and silver.

Gold Standards in UK:

22K = 91.7% Gold
18K = 75.0% Gold
14K = 58.3% Gold
9K = 37.5% Gold

Here at Facets we work exclusively with 18K white gold (75% gold and 25% metal alloys), which provides a good balance of stability and purity, making it a good choice for everyday jewellery pieces. With this high purity, 18K white gold is more hypoallergenic than lower karats, making it a good choice for sensitive skin. 

Colour

White gold is created by alloying pure gold with white metals such as palladium and silver. These alloys make the gold appear a light grey colour, but it is the addition of rhodium plating that gives the gold its much sought after bright white sheen. Rhodium plating needs to be redone every 12-18 months to ensure the gold maintains its lustre and shine. So while white gold is a more affordable white metal alternative to platinum, there is a maintenance cost every year or so to ensure its radiance.

Care

Gold is affected by harsh chemicals such as chlorine and other cleaning products. We recommend you remove gold jewellery when using such chemicals, to reduce abrasion and loss of lustre. To clean gold jewellery use a solution of warm water and detergent free soap, and clean with a soft bristle brush. When not worn, store your gold jewellery in a soft cloth bag, in a sealed box.